3.0 Introduction to Intake

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(3) Intake

Policy Title:

Introduction to Intake

Policy Number:

3.0

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

June 2026

Manual Transmittal:

2026-03

​Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5 Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-12 Licensing and Inspection of Child Welfare Agencies; Standards
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-41 Persons and Agencies Permitted to Access Records
Public Law 111-320 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2010

​Discussion

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) works closely with colleagues, community members, families, and children, always demonstrating courtesy and respect as we put our values and principles into practice. DFCS has both the authority and obligation to receive reports of child abuse (maltreatment). Persons concerned about a child’s safety can report child abuse 24/7 through the Child Protective Services (CPS) Intake Communication Center (CICC) at (1-855-GA-CHILD).

CICC Objectives

The CICC has three objectives:

  1. Provide the community with a point of contact for expressing concerns about children who may need protection.

  2. Determine the response to reports of child abuse, including whether the allegations meet Georgia statute and DFCS policy requirements.

  3. Provide information to individuals or agencies on accessing community resources.

Child Protective Services (CPS) Intake Communication Center (CICC)

The CICC follows a customer service model when conducting the Intake Assessment, emphasizing a high level of responsiveness. This approach includes:

  1. Respect and courtesy in all interactions with the reporter.

  2. Interest in all aspects of the reporter’s account and concerns.

  3. Patience to allow the reporter to tell his/her story.

  4. Empathy for the reporter’s feelings and circumstances.

  5. Support for the reporter’s decision to contact DFCS.

The Intake Assessment is the first step in assessing child safety. Information gathered regarding family functioning assists in identifying the problems and behaviors in the everyday life of the family that led to the safety concerns and helps build partnerships with families to identify solutions to address these issues.

The Centralized Intake Specialist (CIS) will guide the reporter in communicating concerns regarding child abuse (maltreatment) and safety threats. Gather behaviorally specific and detailed information about families. Ask clarifying questions, rephrase inquiries, and allow the reporter to expand on statements. However, Reports from individuals with limited knowledge of the family are not discounted or dismissed. The CIS uses shared information to assist with intake decision making.

Confidentiality & Anonymous Reporting

DFCS maintains confidentiality of all reporters. Some reporters may choose to report their concerns anonymously. Anonymous reports are accepted and do not diminish the reporter’s credibility or the seriousness of their concerns. Reporters are encouraged to provide contact information for potential follow-up, but reports are still accepted regardless of whether identifying information is provided.

Safety Screening

The intake assessment requires the screening of case participants through information systems maintained by DFCS (Georgia SHINES, Gateway, County Master Files, IDS Online, Master Index, Placement Central) as well as other available state agency databases (Georgia Medicaid Management Information System, Sex Offender Registry, Board of Pardons and Paroles, Department of Corrections Offender Query).

Safety screenings play a critical part of the intake decision-making process by identifying patterns of behavior that impact child safety. A safety screening analysis includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Chronicity of child welfare history:

    1. Frequency or recurrence of maltreatment.

    2. Severity of prior reports (substantiated and unsubstantiated), including progressively more serious or similar concerns, severe outcomes, or child removals.

    3. Type of maltreatment based on findings from previous allegations.

  2. Maltreater access to the child(ren) and/or if he/she is serving in a caregiver role.

  3. Ages of the child(ren).

  4. Caregiver responsiveness to prior DFCS interventions and outcomes.

  5. Caregiver criminal history from the Sex Offender Registry, Department of Corrections information, and Pardons and Parole.

Intake Decision-Making Process

A decision is made at the conclusion of the Intake Assessment as to whether the reported information meets Georgia statute and DFCS policy requirements for child abuse, based on an analysis of the information gathered.

The following are the possible intake decisions:

  1. Screen In: There are allegation(s) of maltreatment. Assign a response time using the following criteria for an Initial Safety Assessment (ISA):

    1. Immediate: present danger is indicated

    2. 24 hours: impending danger is indicated

    3. 5 weekdays: child abuse (maltreatment) is indicated, however, there is no indication of safety threat (present or impending danger)

Special Investigations bypass the ISA process.

  1. Screen In: Case is assigned to Investigation due to Special Circumstances. Assign a timeframe to initiate the special circumstances, based on the type of special circumstance and legal mandates:

    1. Immediate

    2. 24 hours

    3. 5 weekdays NOTE: Special circumstances involving Safe Place for Newborns and the Temporary Protective Custody of a Child by Physician will be assigned an immediate response.

  2. Screen In: Policy Violation Assessment: There are no allegations of maltreatment, however an assessment is needed to determine if there is a violation of foster care policy by the placement resource. The response time for Policy Violation Assessments is 24 hours.

  3. Screen Out and Refer: There are no allegations of maltreatment, however the family can benefit from services to strengthen caregiver protective capacity.

  4. Screen Out: There are no allegations of maltreatment.

Assigned Response Time

The maximum amount of time allowed to make face-to-face purposeful contact with the alleged victim child(ren) and assess the child’s safety.

Timeframe to Initiate Special Circumstances (No Maltreatment)

The period allowed to contact the family or complete an action(s). The timeframe to initiate the special circumstance may be an immediate, 24 hours, or 5 weekdays. These timeframes are exclusive to special circumstances where there are no allegations of child abuse (e.g., Special Circumstances Intakes involving a child withdrawn from public school). Special circumstances that include allegations of child abuse (maltreatment) are given an assigned response time.

Community Resources Linkage

Provide information on accessing community resources that promote child and family well-being

Assigned Response Time

The maximum amount of time allowed to make face-to-face purposeful contact with the alleged victim child(ren) and assess the child’s safety.

Timeframe to Initiate Special Circumstances (No Maltreatment)

The period allowed to contact the family or complete an action(s). The timeframe to initiate the special circumstance may be an immediate, 24 hours, or 5 weekdays. These timeframes are exclusive to special circumstances where there are no allegations of child abuse (e.g., Special Circumstances Intakes involving a child withdrawn from public school). Special circumstances that include allegations of child abuse (maltreatment) are given an assigned response time.

Community Resources Linkage

Provide information on accessing community resources that promote child and family well-being to enhance family stability.